Set of four gold coins Armored vehicles - Tanks II proof
Set of four gold coins Armored vehicles - Tanks II proof
The product can also be purchased directly in the stores of the Czech Mint
Armored vehicles
The first tanks - fighting machines that combined unprecedented defensive and offensive capabilities - appeared on the battlefields of World War I. However, it was not until the Second World War that they became the truly dominant force that dominated the battlefield and determined victory or defeat. At that time, the various superpowers sought their own way - each had a different idea of the design and deployment of armoured vehicles, therefore, a plethora of deadly machines were created…
The most famous tanks fighting on all fronts of World War II are represented by the second set of four gold coins:
- Mk IV Churchill - The British infantry tank, tasked with supporting troops on a battlefield littered with trenches, was a relic of the First World War experience. World War II, however, was fought very differently and the slow, heavily armoured machine struggled to find its feet. It got its chance during the Normandy landings, where its numerous engineer variants shone.
- KV-1 - At the start of the war, the Soviet heavy tank had no rival. Cases have been documented where a lone machine destroyed a number of enemy tanks, was hit many times, and yet remained combat capable. It could block the movement of entire enemy formations, but the training of Soviet crews was inadequate, which often neutralized its strengths.
- M3 Stuart - The American light tank, reflecting the wartime experience of the Europeans, became for a time the most important armoured vehicle in the US armoury. Although not well suited for tank battles, it was popular with reconnaissance units. It was a great asset in the Pacific, where its small size gave it a significant advantage when fighting in difficult jungle terrain.
- PzKpfw V Panther - The Third Reich's medium tank became the best German armoured vehicle of the war, despite initial setbacks. Its advanced design, inspired by its Soviet counterparts, included beveled armour, a long gun and wide tracks, giving the tank considerable protection, effective firepower and good mobility.
All four coins in the set are the work of medal maker Petr Patka, DiS. The reverse side of each coin presents two depictions of the tank in question - a three-quarter view and a side silhouette. The composition of the reverse side is always supplemented with the name of the tank and a detail of the respective tank belt. The belts can also be found on the obverse side of the coins, which is common to the entire tank set. As the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side still bears its necessary elements - the national emblem, the nominal value of 25 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2023.
The mintage is only 99 complete sets. A tin case is an integral part of each set.